Horace Fragrances Ranked: From Worst to Best (An Honest Review by a Men’s Fragrance Expert)
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I’ve Tested Every Horace Fragrance — Here’s My Ranking From Worst to Best
Over the past 12 years, I’ve been testing and reviewing men’s fragrances: from mass-market releases to more niche, creative brands. Through DapperandGroomed.com, I’ve helped hundreds of thousands of men in the US, the UK, and around the world find a fragrance that actually suits their personality, lifestyle, and age, rather than simply following the latest hype.
I’ve also been a genuine fan of Horace for a long time. As a French brand, they’ve managed something quite rare: making grooming feel accessible without being boring. Their skincare range is smart, well-priced, and effective, and when it comes to fragrances, Horace has taken a refreshingly bold approach. None of their scents feel generic or rushed: each one has its own identity, mood, and character, which is not something I say lightly.
That said, not all fragrances will appeal to everyone in the same way, and that’s where this article comes in. After wearing and testing all five Horace fragrances properly, I’ve decided to rank them from worst to best, purely based on my personal experience. This isn’t about marketing or popularity; it’s about how they smell, how they evolve on the skin, and who they’re really for.
If you’re trying to decide which Horace fragrance deserves a place on your shelf, this ranking should make that choice much easier.
5. Vetiver Primavera – Why it lands last in my ranking
I’ll be completely honest here: Vetiver Primavera was the Horace fragrance I was most excited to try. I genuinely believe there’s a real market for a modern, cleaner take on vetiver: something fresh, elegant, and wearable without falling into old-school territory. As always with Horace, the presentation is spot on. The minimalist flacon and the packaging look great on a shelf and feel very on-brand. No complaints there at all.
Unfortunately, the fragrance itself is where things fall a bit flat for me.
From the very first spray, you get a big burst of citrus and I mean really citrusy. The problem isn’t that it smells bad (it doesn’t), but that it never really moves on from that opening. The citrus notes stay front and centre, and the vetiver which should be the star of the show is surprisingly hard to find. It feels muted, almost lost behind the freshness.
Because of that, the scent comes across more like a straight-up fresh citrus fragrance than a vetiver-led composition. If you were expecting depth, earthiness, or that slightly dry, elegant vetiver backbone, you may end up a bit disappointed, like I was.
That said, this will absolutely work for some guys. It’s:
very fresh
very clean
clearly designed for summer
perfect if you enjoy citrusy, southern Italian-style fragrances
Projection is decent(people around you will notice it) but longevity is the weak point. On my skin, it fades fairly quickly, which again feels like a missed opportunity for a vetiver-based scent.
Final verdict
A pleasant, easy-to-wear fragrance, but not the modern vetiver I was hoping for. It doesn’t smell bad at all it just doesn’t deliver on its promise. Available at Horace (here) from $82 or £62.
Score: 6.5/10
If you love bright, citrus-heavy summer scents, you’ll probably enjoy Vetiver Primavera. If you’re looking for a bold or distinctive vetiver, I’d suggest looking elsewhere in the Horace lineup and trust me, it gets much better from here.
4. & Horace – A timeless classic that just missed the podium
This one honestly breaks my heart a little to place at number 4 — because & Horace is a genuinely beautiful fragrance. But when a brand does things right (and Horace really does), something has to land just outside the top three… and this is it.
& Horace was the very first fragrance released by Horace, and I remember falling for it almost instantly. It smells clean, crisp, fresh, and timeless — the kind of scent that doesn’t try too hard and doesn’t need to shout to be noticed.
Horace describes it as “your favourite white T-shirt”, and honestly, that’s a perfect description. I picture it exactly like this:
navy trousers, white sneakers, a white T-shirt… and & Horace on your skin.
Simple, elegant, effortless.
In terms of notes, the bergamot, white pepper, and iris are clearly the stars of the show. The opening is fresh and bright, the heart is soft and refined, and everything feels incredibly well-balanced. It’s one of those fragrances that just smells right.
Projection is just right — noticeable but never intrusive — and while longevity could be a little better, I honestly don’t mind reapplying because it smells so good. This is one of those scents you wear for yourself, not to dominate a room.
If you’re the kind of guy who doesn’t like overpowering, loud fragrances — think of classics like Le Male or Sauvage— then & Horace is very likely your sweet spot. It’s understated, modern, and quietly confident.
Final verdict
A classy, clean, effortlessly stylish fragrance that I still love wearing — it just happens to be competing with some very strong siblings. Available at Horace from $82 or £62.
Score: 8.5/10
If you want a safe, elegant, everyday fragrance that never feels dated or aggressive, & Horace is an excellent choice — and proof that Horace got fragrances right from day one.
3. L’Etiquette – A confident, modern lavender done right
L’Etiquette is a collaboration with the Parisian magazine L'Étiquette, and honestly, it’s a very successful one. This is where Horace really shows it knows how to play with classic notes and give them a modern edge.
I’ve always loved lavender in fragrances when it’s done properly — clean, aromatic, and elegant rather than dated or barbershop-heavy. With L’Etiquette, Horace has created what I’d call a new modern classic. Yes, lavender is at the core, but it’s twisted beautifully with smoky tobacco, tonka bean, cypress, and iris, giving the fragrance depth, texture, and personality.
The result? It works surprisingly well.
From the first spray, it feels refined and confident. Your instinct tells you evening fragrance — something you’d wear out for dinner or drinks — but after spending time with it, I actually think it works just as well during the day, especially if you want to stand out a little.
This is not a safe, crowd-pleasing scent — and that’s a compliment.
If you like being a bit different, and you’re a confident guy who doesn’t want to smell like everyone else, L’Etiquette really delivers. It has character, it has presence, and it feels intentionally bold without being loud.
Longevity is also very good on my skin, which makes it even more impressive given how elegant and balanced it feels. It lasts, evolves nicely, and stays interesting throughout the day.
Final verdict
A sophisticated, modern lavender with depth and confidence — one of Horace’s most distinctive creations so far. Available at Horace (click here) from $82-£62. Buy it here from Horace.
Score: 9/10
If you want a fragrance that feels intelligent, slightly daring, and unapologetically masculine without being aggressive, L’Etiquette deserves serious attention.
2. Vintage Vanilla – Addictive, bold, and almost number one
This is Horace’s latest fragrance release, and I’ll say it straight away: Vintage Vanilla is incredible. The only reason it didn’t take the top spot is a very simple one — I’ve personally received more compliments wearing the number 1 fragrance. That’s it. No other reason.
Because in terms of scent quality, Vintage Vanilla is absolutely outstanding.
With this one, Horace delivers another modern take on a classic, this time centred around vanilla — but not the cheap, overly sweet kind. Here, vanilla is deep, warm, and grown-up, perfectly blended with leather, creating a fragrance that feels rich, elegant, and slightly addictive.
The result is genuinely gorgeous. From the first spray, it grabs your attention and doesn’t let go. On my skin, it’s without a doubt the best cologne I’ve smelled this year, and that’s saying something.
Longevity is excellent, easily lasting through the day, and projection is strong without being vulgar — people will notice it, but it never feels overwhelming. This is the kind of fragrance that announces confidence rather than shouting for attention.
To me, Vintage Vanilla is clearly an autumn / winter fragrance. It’s warm, a little sweet, and you really get that beautiful contrast between smooth vanilla and leathery depth. It feels comforting, seductive, and very masculine.
This is a fragrance for a man who knows who he is — someone who understands that being different is his best asset and isn’t afraid to lean into it.
Final verdict
Bold, addictive, and beautifully executed — Vintage Vanilla is a standout fragrance that comes extremely close to perfection. $82-£62 at Horace.com (here)
Score: 9.5/10
If you love warm, sensual scents with character and presence, Vintage Vanilla is an absolute must-try — and proof that Horace is playing in a very serious league now.
1. Oud Rose – Sensual, daring, and absolutely unforgettable
This one genuinely surprised me — and it takes the number one spot without hesitation.
Oud Rose is, in my experience, the best fragrance Horace has created so far, and easily one of the most seductive men’s fragrances on the market right now. Oud can be overpowering. Rose can lean too floral, sometimes even feminine. But together? Horace has done something special.
With Oud Rose, Horace has managed to strike a balance that feels bold, sensual, and addictive. Nothing smells out of place. Nothing feels forced. The result is a fragrance that feels almost oriental in spirit, warm and intimate, yet modern and incredibly wearable.
This is, without question, the ultimate date-night fragrance in the Horace lineup. It’s sexy — unapologetically so. The kind of scent that makes you stand a little straighter because you know you smell good. Every time I wear it, I get compliments. Not the polite kind — the “what are you wearing?” kind.
Projection is excellent, leaving a noticeable but elegant trail, and longevity is fantastic. It lasts, evolves beautifully on the skin, and stays captivating hours later. And a quick tip: Horace also offers the Oud Rose shower gel, which layers perfectly with the fragrance and genuinely boosts its presence on the skin.
What I love most is how confident this scent feels. Oud Rose blends masculine depth with a subtle, refined feminine touch, and that contrast is exactly what makes it so powerful. It’s daring, intimate, and incredibly attractive.
Final verdict
A bold, sensual masterpiece — unique, confident, and utterly irresistible. Buy it at Horace.com (here)
Score: 10/10
If you’re looking for a fragrance that turns heads, leaves a lasting impression, and feels like nothing else on the shelf, Oud Rose is simply outstanding. This is Horace at its very best.
Final Thoughts: Which Horace Fragrance Should You Choose?
Ranking fragrances is never easy — especially when a brand is doing things as well as Horace is right now. What I genuinely appreciate about their fragrance lineup is that there are no bad scents here. Each one has its own identity, personality, and clear intention. This isn’t a brand chasing trends or copying what’s already popular; Horace is clearly building something long-term.
That said, some fragrances simply stand out more than others, and after wearing all five extensively, my ranking comes down to confidence, originality, and how they perform in real life.
If you want something clean, effortless, and timeless, & Horace is still a fantastic everyday option.
If you’re confident and want to smell different, L’Etiquette delivers a bold, modern lavender with real character.
If you love warm, addictive scents, Vintage Vanilla is an absolute triumph and one of the best releases I’ve smelled this year.
But if I had to recommend just one — the one that consistently gets compliments, leaves a lasting impression, and feels genuinely unique — Oud Rose is the clear winner. It’s sensual, daring, and incredibly well-balanced, proving that Horace can compete with far more expensive niche fragrances without blinking.
Whichever one you choose, one thing is certain: Horace is doing fragrances very right — and I can’t wait to see where they take things next.
Jerome.
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Horace fragrances ranked from worst to best. After 12 years reviewing men’s colognes, here’s my honest verdict on all 5 Horace scents — including the best one to buy.